KCTU: "No Progress in COVID-19 Social Dialogue"

Kim Myung-hwan, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, is answering reporters' questions at a press briefing related to the tripartite representatives meeting to overcome the COVID-19 crisis, held at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), participating in the 'One-Point Social Dialogue' to overcome the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), has stated that a tangible agreement must be reached by the end of this month.

Kim Myung-hwan, chairman of the KCTU, said at a briefing held at the KCTU office on the 23rd, "There has been no progress in the social dialogue underway to overcome COVID-19," but added, "At the second representatives' meeting on the 18th, most agreed that a consensus-based tripartite social dialogue should be established by the end of this month, and I believe efforts should be made to achieve an agreement by then."

The One-Point Social Dialogue refers to the 'COVID-19 Crisis Overcoming Tripartite Representatives Meeting' initiated by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on the 20th of last month. It is a temporary dialogue focused on measures to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. The One-Point Social Dialogue was proposed by the KCTU, which does not participate in the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC). Currently, nine rounds of working-level meetings have been held. On the 18th, a second meeting at the representatives' level, including Prime Minister Chung, was held to exchange opinions, but it remains difficult to reconcile differences between labor and management.

Chairman Kim emphasized the emergency situation caused by COVID-19. He pointed out, "During the six months following the COVID-19 outbreak, the number of non-regular workers dismissed was six times higher than during the same period last year," and added, "Among those who experienced unemployment, 76% have never even received unemployment benefits." He further stated, "Especially vulnerable groups such as non-regular workers and subcontracted workers are suffering concentrated damage."

The KCTU reminded that the purpose of the social dialogue is to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and urged the Korea Employers Federation (KEF) to change its stance. They emphasized, "The nature of this tripartite representatives meeting is to overcome the employment crisis caused by the COVID-19 disaster," and added, "KEF should now withdraw agendas unrelated to the disaster and sincerely engage in the social dialogue."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.